Written Answers Nos. 462-479
462. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the coach passenger industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38373/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy has referred to, my predecessor approved proposals to reform the current licensing regime for Large Public Service Vehicles (LPSVs), which is presently administered by An Garda Síochána.
A key aim of the reform is to streamline the process for industry so as to eliminate the overlap and duplication that currently exists with regard to the various elements of the current LPSV licensing regime. As part of the overall reform package, my Department has been liaising with other stakeholders, including the Coach Tourism and Transport of Ireland, with a view to agreeing the most appropriate mechanism and institutional arrangements to effect this change, as well as other related reforms to the bus regulatory regime. A number of options are under consideration in this regard.
Regardless of which options are deemed to be the most appropriate, primary legislation will be required to underpin the new arrangements. Work is also underway to define the precise dimensions of the legislative changes required to provide both for the new regulatory regime for LPSVs and to revoke the existing legislative provisions governing such vehicles.
463. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the commercial value of the Limerick to Ballybrophy railway line and its contribution to the local economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38394/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI presume the Deputy's question is in the context of the Rail Review 2016.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is currently running a public consultation on rail in Ireland. It was launched over two weeks ago with the publication of the Rail Review 2016 - which the NTA undertook in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann - together with an NTA consultation document "The Role of Rail in Ireland and Funding its Delivery". Both documents are available on the NTA's website.
The public consultation process will give the public and all interested parties the opportunity to give their views and contribute to the debate on the future of heavy rail in Ireland. The public consultation process will run until 18th January 2017 and the NTA will then prepare a report based on the findings; thereafter I intend to bring this report to Government.
No decisions will be made about the heavy rail network, or individual rail lines, before the public consultation process has concluded and been evaluated.
464. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a new ferry for Valentia Island (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38413/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland to invest in tourism offerings, it does not administer those capital programmes. Similarly, it does not have discretionary funds at its disposal to assist with tourism proposals.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
465. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if work has commenced in the early activities in the construction of the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway, as set out in decision one of his update of the project; and if this stage of the process has not commenced, when it will commence. [38446/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
As I have indicated previously, I have agreed that TII can proceed with some early activities related to restarting planning for the proposed M20 scheme. Additional funding will need to be made available to my Department if the project is to be progressed beyond those early activities. As this preparatory (early activity) work is being undertaken by TII, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please contact my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
466. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide emergency funding to Kerry County Council to carry out works on the Dale Road, Abbeydorney Cross to Ballinclogher Cross, R551, at which urgent upgrades are necessary due to an extremely dangerous road layout resulting in seven vehicles crashing over ditches in 2016 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38490/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads such as the R551 is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The economic reality of recent years has meant significant reductions in roads budgets across the board and this has resulted in some grant programmes being curtailed, including the Specific and Strategic Grant Programmes, in order to protect funding for road maintenance and repair.
It is important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement local authorities in their spending in this area and it is open to Kerry County Council to fund this work from its own resources.
467. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if meetings have previously been scheduled between him and the European co-ordinator for the North Sea-Mediterranean TEN-T corridor; if he has met with the European co-ordinator; if not, the reason the meetings did not take place; and his views on whether the TEN-T corridor is vital for the further development of infrastructure within the State. [38495/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Co-ordinator for the North Sea Mediterranean Core Corridor, Professor Balazs, was due to visit both Northern Ireland and Ireland in late June but due to scheduling issues and uncertainty after the outcome of the UK Referendum, this visit was postponed.
I have asked for this meeting to be arranged again and my officials have been in contact with the office of the European Co-ordinator. It is hoped that this visit will now occur in Spring 2017.
As a small peripheral open trading economy it is vital that European transport infrastructure is efficient and effective and enhances Ireland's transport connectivity to the transport networks of our European partners. The NSMED Core Corridor Work Plan will contribute to this objective in a joined up manner and my officials will continue to work with NSMED Corridor Forum stakeholders, officials from the European Commission, the European Co-ordinator and other Member States in implementing this plan and seeking European co-funding for the implementation of projects in Ireland along this corridor. In this context, I look forward to meeting Prof Balazs when he visits Ireland.
468. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of wheelchair accessible taxis by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38542/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle industry, including the licensing of wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have therefore referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
469. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will investigate with the National Transport Authority chief executive officer (details supplied) when the agency which she heads will be in a position to identify the company that has been successful for its open tender for the provision of bus shelters across the country; when this new advertising company will be in the position to begin the planning application process with Sligo County Council for the delivery of the already identified new bus shelter at John Street, Sligo, which has been approved for development and which has had its funding announced by the NTA on 10 August 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38546/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure including bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, bus stands and bus fleets in the State. Moreover, I have no role in any tendering or contractual arrangements between the NTA and third party contractors.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
470. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress being made to develop the Ireland Lakelands brand as a separate proposition to sit alongside the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East, with specific reference to the Ballina-Killaloe area and Lough Derg to Portumna Bridge taking in villages and Nenagh along the way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38562/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
471. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the free travel initiative for children during the summer to all areas of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38563/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
472. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the real danger that rural bus services will disappear over the coming months leaving large swathes of rural Ireland without vital bus services if Bus Éireann moves ahead with plans to alter the terms and conditions of its Expressway staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38649/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been consistently clear since assuming office that issues relating to pay and conditions in any particular State owned company under my Department's aegis are a matter for discussion and agreement between the employer and the employees.
I am aware that Bus Éireann is considering options designed to address its significant financial losses which result from its commercial Expressway service. The formulation and progression of those plans are a matter for Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann has engaged consultants to independently review the options available to it as it seeks to address these losses.
In addition the Deputy is also aware that the Company has indicated its desire to discuss the Expressway issue with trade unions. I am firmly of the belief that difficult issues such as this can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the company and its employees and I do not propose to comment on the detail of any proposals that might be put to Trade Unions to address the serious challenges facing Bus Eireann. As shareholder, however, I do have a view that Bus Eireann's serious financial challenges should be tackled decisively and effectively so that the company can be viable and serve its customer base on a sustainable basis.
Expressway routes are commercial services which do not receive any Exchequer funding. Last year commercial bus services carried almost 23 million passengers with approximately 7 million of those passengers choosing an Expressway service.
The Deputy is probably aware that the commercial bus market has seen significant growth in recent years with passenger journeys in 2015 13% higher than in 2013. These services are regulated by the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. There have been instances in recent years whereby some commercial services have been reconfigured leaving certain areas without the desired level of public transport provision. In response, the NTA has used its powers under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 to ensure continued public transport services through the provision of subvented Public Service Obligation (PSO) services.
473. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the DART expansion programme and the electrification of the Sligo line from Connolly to Maynooth, together with removal of level crossings and resignalling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38715/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority's 'Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 - 2035', which was approved and published earlier this year, proposes implementation of the DART Expansion Programme involving electrification of the Northern line as far as Drogheda, the Kildare Line to Hazelhatch, the Sligo line to Maynooth in the west and to the M3 Parkway and construction of the DART Underground tunnel. The extension of the DART to Maynooth and to the M3 Parkway would provide an enhancement to existing services for commuters from the wider catchment areas in Counties Kildare and Meath, including Kilcock and Enfield.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned and work is underway on that at present. Due to constraints on funding, not all of the elements of the DART Expansion Programme can be progressed during the lifetime of the Capital Plan. Funding has been allocated for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan and for work on the redesign of the tunnel. Other elements of the Programme will be considered in the planned review of the Capital Plan.
474. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if persons over 70 years of age can apply to have their driving licence renewed to the NDLS by post, rather than having to attend in person; if not, the reason; and if he will consider issuing a directive to the NDLS to allow persons over 70 years of age to apply for their driving licence renewal by post in order to improve access for elderly citizens. [38733/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in procedural matters. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
475. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects construction to begin on the national velodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38737/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the next step in relation to the proposed velodrome is for Sport Ireland to undertake an appropriate financial appraisal, i.e. a Cost Benefit Analysis, in accordance with the Public Spending Code. Thereafter, any proposal to proceed will be subject in the normal way to the availability of capital funding.
476. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will seek assurances from the chief executive officer of Iarnród Éireann that extra security will be provided to the Howth Junction-Donaghmede DART station over the Christmas and New Year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38750/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
477. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Iarnród Éireann will be removing the staff from the Sandycove and Glasthule DART station to make it an unmanned station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38752/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
478. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the value of road block funding grants allocated to each county for each of the years 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016 in tabular form. [38798/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Following the re-structuring of the local authorities in 2014 and the abolition of the former Urban District Councils there are no longer separate block grants for urban councils. The regional and local road grant allocations and payments made to local authorities in the period 2014 to 2015 are included in the allocation and payment booklets available in the Dáil library. The regional and local road grant allocation booklet for 2016 is also available in the Dáil library.
479. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to ensure that Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and other such tourism organisations will provide information regarding the facilities that are in County Westmeath pertaining to developed greenways along the entire length of the Royal Canal in County Westmeath and between Mullingar and Athlone along the old rail trail, which are important tourist facilities but which are not referred to on the Discover Ireland website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38828/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the implementation of that policy, including the provision of tourism information and marketing. That is an operational matter for the Boards and Management of the tourism agencies, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
